Bill to make grooming a felony heads to Minnesota Senate for floor vote
The bill to make grooming a crime in Minnesota is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation follows a WCCO investigative series on grooming in schools.
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The bill to make grooming a crime in Minnesota is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation follows a WCCO investigative series on grooming in schools.
A law to make grooming a felony in Minnesota is closer to reality. House members unanimously passed the bill on Monday. The move follows a WCCO Investigates series where Hannah LoPresto shared what she calls grooming and sexual assault by her high school band director.
Only on WCCO, a mother and daughter from the Twin Cities recount their 55-day ordeal in a Texas immigration center.
Amarie Alowonle, 19, was shot and killed during a gathering at a Robbinsdale park last May. Her family is pushing for answers since that time.
The video shows the patient on a mental health hold striking hospital support staff. Then, the patient takes a swing with the bed rail at EMT Rob Madsen who was waiting to transfer a patient.
A mother who was blackmailed by a Minnesota sheriff is speaking out for the first time in a WCCO Investigation. Darcey Duncan recently received a multi-million-dollar settlement for the abuse she endured. The former Chisago County sheriff pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct in 2023.
"The human toll is really painful," Lange said. "We'll see people say that over and over in court, I did everything I was supposed to. I have no criminal record. I have permission to work here. I'm doing my job. I don't bother anybody. I used the app to come here, and then the door is slammed shut."
A bill designed to stop grooming in Minnesota schools is moving forward after its first hearing on Tuesday. It follows a WCCO investigative series where a young woman shared what she says happened to her in high school.
Last fall, Hannah LoPresto came forward to say she was groomed and sexually assaulted by her band director. She told WCCO she wants her experience to change laws to better protect kids. Now, lawmakers are set to introduce legislation this session.
While the feds say the operation targeted public safety threats or the worst of the worst, a WCCO investigation found people with no criminal history have also been picked up.
Nearly 100 Minnesotans, who say pollution problems harmed their health, have won a multi-million-dollar legal settlement.
Several sheriff's offices in Minnesota have what's called a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Different models allow departments to help enforce ICE operations and to serve warrants on people inside their jails. Crow Wing County has both.
The Crow Wing County Jail started accepting ICE detainees in November 2025. The county sheriff, Eric Klang, says that oftentimes they're brought in a few at a time.
There are several angles of the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti online. WCCO talked with Rob Doar, a firearms instructor and president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, after he watched video of Saturday's incident.
With all the ICE activity happening in Minnesota, people are asking: Where are federal agents taking the people they detain? WCCO Investigates is digging in to share who's working with ICE and what we've learned.
Neighbors and business owners in the Minneapolis neighborhood of Uptown are concerned as businesses in the area continue to falter. Last month, The Lowry closed, citing changing consumer behavior, city-specific mandates and "disruptive Hennepin Avenue construction."
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
A 35-year-old man has been charged after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a time in which he was a police officer, according to court documents filed Monday.
The City of Minneapolis is trying a new approach when it comes to solving and preventing non-deadly shootings.
A federal court will decide whether a Minnesota man can continue his fight to stay in the U.S.
At a hangar in St. Paul, Minnesota, engineers at Momentum Aeronautics are building Heatwave, a new generation scooping float system designed to make one of firefighting aviation's most dangerous jobs safer.
It's estimated that there are more than 15,000 black bears in Minnesota, with the majority of them in the northeastern part of the state.
Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man they believe is responsible for shooting at a fire suppression aircraft in northern Minnesota on Friday.
A wildfire in an area near Two Harbors, Minnesota, has been 100% contained, a federal interagency wildfire map showed Monday night.
A Minnesota motorist was shot in the face Friday by "an errant round" fired by someone on a family's nearby target shooting range.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Both sides of the aisle are claiming wins following the end of the legislative session in Minnesota. They barely got everything done in time. Esme Murphy details bills that were approved by lawmakers.
It came right down to the wire, but the legislative session is over and finished on time. Most top priorities passed, including a bailout for HCMC and a hospital reserve fund, a one year roll-back of car tab fees, and property tax relief. But, the most emotionally-charged issue of the session never came up for a final vote, gun control. Esme Murphy is live at the Capitol with what happened.
Minnesota lawmakers crossed the finish line at the State Capitol just before midnight. But even with bipartisan agreements in place, the final hours were anything but smooth.
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
President Trump had accused the Treasury Department and IRS of unlawfully allowing a government contractor to leak his tax returns and those of his sons and company.
Part of the end-of-session deal in the Minnesota Legislature rolls back skyrocketing tab renewal fees. Those fees have electric vehicle owners especially revved up.
In Minnesota, you'll be able to try one at St. Paul's CHS Field.
With more Americans opting to drive rather than fly amid higher costs, South Dakota tourism officials say the state is well-positioned as a regional road trip destination.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
A 35-year-old man has been charged after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a time in which he was a police officer, according to court documents filed Monday.
The City of Minneapolis is trying a new approach when it comes to solving and preventing non-deadly shootings.
Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and two suspected shooters were found dead inside a vehicle nearby, police said.
A federal officer faces charges in connection with a shooting in north Minneapolis that left a man wounded, and that two agents were caught lying about under oath.
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
It comes after insurers stopped paying for their kids' daily care, which they argue was covered as part of a 15-year-old state law. As the end of the Minnesota session nears, lawmakers have four days to make a change.
A Twin Cities teenager is facing an unimaginable battle: terminal cancer. She's fortunate enough to have family by her side through her fearless fight as they all hope for a miracle.
Dr. Gianrico Farrugia has led Mayo Clinic since 2019, and the organization said it was his decision to "complete his tenure at the end of this year."
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
Dave Ryan has been a pillar of Minnesota radio for over three decades who last week made the surprise announcement that he would retire from his morning show at KDWB.
If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan in Minnesota, today may be the greatest day you've ever known. Billy Corgan and his band are bringing their next tour to Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
Dave Ryan announced Wednesday that May 22 will be his last day at KDWB, ending a 33-year run at the Twin Cities station.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
Josh Bell homered twice and drove in four runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-3.
The summer will be jam-packed for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin. He made it abundantly clear on Monday that re-signing Quinn Hughes is at the top of the list.
A Minnesota dancer is breaking barriers everytime she competes on stage.
The Baltimore Ravens will participate in two joint practices during training camp this summer, including a home clash with the Washington Commanders.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
Amy Klobuchar is putting her gubernatorial campaign into high gear. She faces no significant opposition in the race for the DFL endorsement and her existing record of statewide wins is formidable.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
Dozens of recreational marijuana dispensaries can now be found across Minnesota. Many of them opened last year, but it's still relatively new. And if you've visited dispensaries in other states, the rules can be different.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
More people than the entire population of Minneapolis, or half a million, were estimated to go fishing in Minnesota this past weekend. WCCO looks at how the tradition stacks up with other outdoor events that keep the state's economy running.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says wind gusts are expected to exceed 20 mph in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, when temperatures will reach the 50s.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Another system of rain will move through much of Minnesota on Monday night, followed by cool and windy conditions on Tuesday.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says more rain is possible this evening, but things are not expected to be severe.
There's another chance for rain Monday evening before a mostly dry week.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says wind gusts are expected to exceed 20 mph in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, when temperatures will reach the 50s.
A business in Minneapolis' Uptown is warning that a new project could shut down more small businesses in a different stretch of town. Ashley Grams heard those concerns at the site of a new construction project on Lyndale Avenue.
Minnesotans have plenty of experience grabbing beer or wine at liquor stores. That's not the case when it comes to legally buying marijuana. In this Good Question, Jeff Wagner helps first-timers navigate the ins and outs of shopping at a dispensary.
Prosecutors say they want to send a message with the sentencing of Aimee Bock, the Feeding Our Future ringleader. In March, she was convicted of several counts in connection with what authorities called the largest pandemic fraud case in the U.S. Court documents said they are recommending a 50-year sentence for Bock.
An 11th hour pardon and court challenge are keeping a Minnesota man from being deported. Jeff Wagner has been following this story all month and has the latest on his legal battle, including why the man's attorney says his pause will stay in effect until further notice.